CELEBRATING 4 DECADES OF CARE
Mediclinic looks back on four decades of growth, driven by our commitment to high-quality care for the communities we serve.
Dr Edwin Hertzog, Mediclinic Founder.
Founded in 1983 by Dr Edwin Hertzog, Mediclinic embarked on a journey with a simple yet profound vision: to establish a robust private hospital brand that could elevate the South African healthcare landscape. Fast forward to today, and Mediclinic stands tall as an international healthcare provider, stretching its footprint across Southern Africa, Switzerland, and the Middle East.
The story of Mediclinic’s success has a clear founding principle, says Dr Hertzog. “We started very small and quite slowly, and if I look back, probably our biggest achievement was being able to draw good people and let them work as an efficient team doing the right things. Over the past 40 years, it has always been an enthusiastic team and a supportive environment. I’m very happy that today we can look back on 40 years of not only care, but also successful care.”
This culture of caring for local communities has driven the business from its inception in Panorama, in Cape Town, to its growth into markets outside of South Africa. “We were not really looking to grow according to a blueprint or a big grand scheme. In fact, it took us seven years to become profitable,” says Dr Hertzog. “So the company has grown much bigger and much further than I ever anticipated. But at Mediclinic we have always focused on quality, and because of that, over the years, opportunities arose.”
“The healthcare environment is changing, and it is changing at an ever increasing rate,” acknowledges Dr Ronnie van der Merwe, Mediclinic Group CEO. In the face of this rapid evolution, Mediclinic has been proactive in modernising and transforming its business to meet the evolving needs of patients. “Everything we do is designed to modernise and transform the business quite rapidly in order to keep up with what our patients need from healthcare today.”
Dr Ronnie van der Merwe, Mediclinic Group CEO.
The need for expert, compassionate healthcare is ongoing and universal, says Dr Hertzog. “Good healthcare is the most sought-after professional service that people require and desire. It is about quality of life. That is what Mediclinic stands for.”
As we commemorate Mediclinic's 40th anniversary, we delve into its evolution, values, and transformative impact on healthcare.
“The road I travel to work every day can be quite treacherous. It’s a 30-minute drive over a mountain pass that is quite narrow,” says Dr van der Merwe. “I’ve driven past three quite serious accidents in the past three months, early in the morning, and it is incredibly heartwarming to see ER24 ambulances on the scene, working hard to attend to the victims of those car crashes. It shows we are making a big difference in the real lives of ordinary people every day.” This tangible impact on people’s lives is a testament to Mediclinic’s commitment to being a beacon of hope and healing, especially in moments of crisis.
Dr Hertzog is proud of what the company has achieved. “Looking back, I’m very happy that I identified the opportunity to develop a private hospital company. Before that, I was quite happy in my anaesthetics practice and I didn’t foresee that I would one day end up in a business career. However, when the invitation came, I thought it had merit, although at that stage I did not foresee that I would develop a private hospital company down the road. But I gave it a full go, and I’m happy that I seized the opportunity.”
Reflecting on Mediclinic’s trajectory, Dr Hertzog emphasises the importance of a patient-centric culture. “The experience of the patient is what drives us,” he asserts, “and so the culture of every person in our hospitals is patient-focused.” This unwavering focus on patient experience has been a driving force behind Mediclinic’s success. Rather than building towards distant future plans, Mediclinic’s approach has been to consistently prioritise “doing the right things in the right way.” This philosophy has not only led to growth but has paved the way for numerous opportunities.
Dr Hertzog is proud of what the company has achieved. “Looking back, I’m very happy that I identified the opportunity to develop a private hospital company. Before that, I was quite happy in my anaesthetics practice and I didn’t foresee that I would one day end up in a business career. However, when the invitation came, I thought it had merit, although at that stage I did not foresee that I would develop a private hospital company down the road. But I gave it a full go, and I’m happy that I seized the opportunity.”
“We do not exist to make money,” states Dr van der Merwe emphatically. “If that was our only goal, we would not be successful.” Instead, the core purpose of Mediclinic is to enhance the quality of people’s lives. Its vision of being the partner of choice for all a person’s healthcare needs drives every decision. “It’s not just about treating illnesses; it’s about enriching lives and forming lasting relationships with our patients.”
Dr Hertzog is proud of what the company has achieved. “Looking back, I’m very happy that I identified the opportunity to develop a private hospital company. Before that, I was quite happy in my anaesthetics practice and I didn’t foresee that I would one day end up in a business career. However, when the invitation came, I thought it had merit, although at that stage I did not foresee that I would develop a private hospital company down the road. But I gave it a full go, and I’m happy that I seized the opportunity.”
Mediclinic’s journey has been characterised by continuous expansion and innovation. From its South African origins, the brand has expanded its mental health offerings, local availability of renal services, and ventured into precision medicine. In Switzerland, Hirslanden has leveraged its strong brand to forge public-private partnerships and widen its specialised care offerings. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Mediclinic has emerged as a trusted healthcare provider, offering a spectrum of services from diagnostic and radiology to remote and home care.
Dr Hertzog is proud of what the company has achieved. “Looking back, I’m very happy that I identified the opportunity to develop a private hospital company. Before that, I was quite happy in my anaesthetics practice and I didn’t foresee that I would one day end up in a business career. However, when the invitation came, I thought it had merit, although at that stage I did not foresee that I would develop a private hospital company down the road. But I gave it a full go, and I’m happy that I seized the opportunity.”
With the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, Mediclinic’s investment in technology and collaboration is vital. The creation of digital health ecosystems signifies the organisation’s commitment to advancing patient care. Driven by a resilient team, Mediclinic continues to harness technology and data to ensure accessible and informed healthcare decisions.
All of this is designed to improve the patient journey, says Dr Hertzog. “If you asked me, what is the most enjoyable thing about being in the hospital business? It is to walk around a busy, happy hospital that’s successful, where doctors practise healthcare efficiently and happily – to see staff in the hospital walking around, busy and friendly and supportive. To have that feeling of, this is a successful hospital that cares for doctors and patients, that is always a highlight.”
With the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, Mediclinic’s investment in technology and collaboration is vital. The creation of digital health ecosystems signifies the organisation’s commitment to advancing patient care. Driven by a resilient team, Mediclinic continues to harness technology and data to ensure accessible and informed healthcare decisions.
All of this is designed to improve the patient journey, says Dr Hertzog. “If you asked me, what is the most enjoyable thing about being in the hospital business? It is to walk around a busy, happy hospital that’s successful, where doctors practise healthcare efficiently and happily – to see staff in the hospital walking around, busy and friendly and supportive. To have that feeling of, this is a successful hospital that cares for doctors and patients, that is always a highlight.”
